Wellbeing at Monash Newsletter
Issue #8 - November, 2009
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Proudly presented by Monash Sport and Wellbeing @ Monash, you can now read about the latest wellbeing events, services and activities happening at Monash. Monash aims to assist staff in achieving a healthy work/life balance using a holistic approach – mind, body, spirit and the community. There are some great prizes to win so read on!
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In the November edition:
Wellbeing events & news
Keep stepping for the 10,000 Steps Challenge
More than 2000 staff and students have just one week to go in the 5 week challenge. The Challenge has seen participants walk a virtual walk from the Prato campus, Italy to the London campus, finishing on Friday 13th November.
Participants are not only measuring the number of steps they take each day using pedometers, but also experiencing the many benefits that physical activity has on mental health. Teams of up to 8 people, consisting of Monash staff, family, friends and students will each aim to clock up at least 10,000 steps each day.
The following pedometer indices have been developed to provide a guideline on how many steps are enough:
less than 5000: Sedentary
5000-7499: low active
7500-9999: somewhat active
more than 10000: active
more than 12500: highly active
Together we can improve our mental and physical health as we walk for the soul. For more information visit the 10,000 Steps Challenge webpage.
Exchange kris kringle for a gift worth giving - Oxfam unwrapped presents
Many departments do the 'seasonal' kris kringle present giving, this year why not pool your money and purchase an Oxfam unwrapped present. Prices start from $5
- To support Oxfam education programs, you just need to purchase literacy classes, school fees, school books, crayons and pencils, a "One small bag" drama kit or build a school.
-Fund health programs by purchasing safe refuge for women, a well, a clean water filter jar or buckets, food for a child, a bicycle ambulance, a toilet, a farmer's pack, an orphan care pack, water for a school or support an Indigenous granny group,
-Contribute to agriculture programs; purchase a calf, cattle manure, seeds, fruit trees, a veggie garden, a goat, bees, H2O harvesting or a duck,
- When you buy a buffalo, start a small business, a bridge, a piglet, a chicken, sewing training, save a river, a toolkit for a builder or build a house, you'll be helping fund programs that give people a livelihood.
- Or you can help Oxfam act quickly in times of emergency by buying a mosquito net, cooking sets, a donkey, a watsan kit or a tent.
Uwrapped presents can be purchased online using a credit card. For more information visit the Oxfam Unwrapped present website.
Keeping healthy over the holidays
Christmas is a time for socialising and celebrating with friends and family. But even in this festive season we must not neglect our own health. With some sensible choices and remaining active over the festive period you can keep your health on track and set yourself up for a great 2010. Try these tips over the holidays:
• Minimise nibbles and drinks at events, especially avoiding deep fried and creamy snacks. Instead choose vegetable sticks with dips like hommous and salsas.
• If hosting a function provide a healthy Health Smart option for your guests
• When purchasing presents/gifts for others opt for a voucher for a swim, a subscription to a health magazine or a massage voucher - indulgences without the calories.
• Spend some quality time with family and friends by taking a walk, playing a social game of cricket or throw a frisbee.
• If you choose to drink, do so in moderation ensuring you have two complete alcohol free days in 7. Remember alcohol has twice the kilojoules of proteins or carbohydrates.
Source: Monash Sport & http://www.fairbrother.com.au/health/archives/christmas.html
Your chance to win and monthly competition winners
Congratulations to Janine Johnson, MBA Administrative Officer, Graduate School of Business, Faculty of Business and Economics on winning the $20 voucher for providing feedback. For your chance to win a $20 Coles Myer voucher tell us what you think of this edition of Wellbeing at Monash (or any wellbeing service you would like to see) Send your feedback here
Note: Wellbeing at Monash Online, an online health and wellbeing information portal for Monash staff is no longer operational. We hope to bring you an exciting new innovative program soon. Stay tuned for more information.
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Monash Sport news and offers
Monash Sport - now online
You can now keep up to date with all the latest Monash Sport news and events on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Simply search for ‘Monash Sport' on both sites!
Gift Vouchers
Looking for a gift for someone but not sure what to get them? Monash Sport gift vouchers can be used to purchase a membership, 10 visit passes or programs such as Fit Camp and Personal Training. For further information speak to a Monash Sport staff member.
Social Sport
Summer Social Sport Competition
Monash Sport is offering a Summer Social Sport Competition at Monash Caulfield. This is a great opportunity to relax and have fun with friends and colleagues. With basketball, mixed netball and indoor soccer on offer there is a great range of sporting activities that will keep you entertained over summer.
Monash Social Sport is held on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evening's and Thursday lunchtimes with games designed to suit your schedule. The eight week competition begins on the 23 November 2009.
Registration closes on Wednesday 18 November. For further information and to register, go to: http://sport.monash.edu/sportsprograms/social-sport.html
Monash sporting success at awards nights
Monash Sport's reputation for great customer service and innovative sporting programs has grown once more after receiving two outstanding awards.
Monash Sport Site Leader Brett Lavale, and Marketing and Communications Coordinator Brendan de Souza were present at the Customer Service Institute of Australia awards night to accept the ‘Not-for profit Australian Service Excellence Award'. Mr. Lavale said he was extremely proud of his team for excelling in the field.
"This represents the culmination of four to five years of concentrated effort in improving our service focus to customers and becoming more systemised. I'd especially like to thank our multi-functional service project team which has driven service improvements across our organisation," he said.
Monash Sport's (SHEP) Student Health and Education Program was also successful in winning the ‘Best Sports Development Initiative' award at the Victorian Sport Awards.
This Awards ceremony is designed to recognize people that play a significant role in the sporting industry whilst benefiting the wider sporting community. The program has tested sporting ability and potential in 2000 junior and high school aged children.
Furthermore, Monash commerce student Amy Steel has been nominated for the Australian Institute of Sport's ‘Junior Athlete of the Year' award. After winning a world youth championships title and then being called up to the Australian Diamonds netball team.
Group Fitness - Summer timetable launch
The new summer timetable will be launched from the week beginning Monday 23 November across all campuses, please check our website for more detail. For more information visit www.sport.monash.edu/reload
Doug Ellis Swimming Pool Shop
Dress to Impress this summer - Come in and check out our new summer range of quality endurance long lasting bathers. We have something for everyone!
Ladies Bathers Range from $57.95 to $94.50 in range of colours
Men's Bathers Range from $40.00 in a range of colours
Children's Bathers range from $28-$40 in a range of colours
Accessories
Adults Goggles range from $15.95 -$34.95
Children's Goggles range from $9.95- $19.95
Latex Swim Caps $5
Silicon Swim Caps $14.50
See in store for mesh bags, earplugs noise clips and more
New Fit Camp sessions at Caulfield
Fit Camp is back on again with a new program starting up at the Caulfield campus from Tuesday 10 November until Thursday 17 December.
Fit Camp is a six week fun, social, challenging and rewarding way of training. For those about to embark on their first fitness program or looking for a new challenge Fit Camp is for you.
Monash Sports fit camps are a great way to get fit for summer or to keep fit during the off season. The six week camp offers a challenging and rewarding experience in a fun and sociable atmosphere.
For more information visit the Monash Sport webpage
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TeamMONASH™ events
Portsea Swim Classic/Tri Swim training
The next event you can complete as a part of TeamMONASHTM will be the annual Portsea Swim Classic. This is a great 1.2km ocean swim held on the Portsea front beach on Saturday 16 January.
Below are some tips to consider in preparation for the event.
• Try to complete 3 Tri-Swim Squad sessions a week achieving 2km per training session.
• It is always a good idea to vary the intensity, try different breathing patterns - learning how to breathe on your least favourite side in case of choppy conditions.
• Swim a short distance in the pool swimming head up so as to condition yourself for navigating in open water.
For further details of the event and training tips, please visit www.sport.monash.edu/events/portsea-swim-classic.html
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Discounts for staff
Christmas gift ideas:
Wellbeing @ Monash has sourced many discounts including:
*ACP magazines:
Monash staff members a 10% discount magazines titles includ Australian PC User, Australian Geographic, Australian Women's Weekly, Good Health & Medicine, Money, Shop Til You Drop and Wheels. To receive the 10% discount visit www.magshop.com.au/monash-staff-offer
*Rebel Sport
Monash staff receive a 5% discount upon presentation of the Rebel Sport MVP discount card. Email monash.wellbeing@adm.monash.edu.au with Rebel card in the subject line and your internal mail address to have a card sent via internal mail
*Dell discount offer for staff
Receive great discounts including 3% discount on Dell Vostro desktops and laptops, 5% discount on inspiron
8% discount on studio & XPS and 10% off dell monitors, printers & projectors For more information download the flyer here. You must use your Monash University email address and online coupon code when ordering to verify your eligibility.
*Acclaim Wardrobes
Rreceive a free quote for wardrobe, laundry, bathroom, kitchen installation and design. Contact Rob at Acclaim Wardrobes Phone 9768 3448 / 0407 680 087 or email your request to: acclaimwardrobes@netspace.net.au.
*Tired of cooking? Let Lite n Easy do the work for you
Monash staff special offer: Lite n Easy is offering Monash staff $25 off the first delivery for a full 7 day pack (breakfast, lunch and dinner) To take advantage of this great offer simply phone 13 15 12 and quote ‘Monash uni discount offer' to the operator. This offer is available to new customers only. Visit the Lite n Easy website for more information about the program.
*Global Ballooning Hot Air Ballooning
Monash staff members a 15% off discount of the RRP. Bookings can be made via phone 1800 627 661 and mention ‘Monash University Wellbeing or online using the booking code MONASH to receive 15% discount. Download the special discount flyer here or visit the Global Ballooning website www.globalballooning.com.au for more information.
Visit the discounts webpage here for more information
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Healthy living info and news
Are you overweight and sit for long periods of time?
Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute is currently examining whether reducing sedentary behaviour (prolonged sitting time) can help improve blood glucose and blood fat levels in older, overweight adults.
There is emerging evidence that people who break up their sitting time with activity breaks (such as light walking) may have better blood glucose and blood fat levels than people who sit for prolonged periods without activity breaks.
What's involved
This study aims to test the effects of a single bout (7hrs) of prolonged sitting on blood glucose and blood fat levels, with and without intermittent bouts of light-intensity or moderate-intensity activity.
Who can participate
Eligible participants must be aged between 45 and 65 years and not be on glucose or cholesterol (lipid) lowering medications
How do I find out more?
Interested persons should contact Miriam Clayfield on 9076 2948 or miriam.clayfield@bakeridi.edu.au or Robyn Smith on 9258-5916 or visit the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute website
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Previous newsletters & useful links
WIN a $20 Coles Myer voucher
We value your feedback. Tell us what you think of this edition of Wellbeing at Monash (or any wellbeing service you would like to see) and you could win a $20 Coles Myer voucher. Send your feedback here
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